Month: November 2017
IFRT Interviews Erin Kennedy, Idaho’s IFC Chair
Guest post by Isabel Klein, a member of the Intellectual Freedom Round Table’s (IFRT) Coalition Building Committee. Charged with recognizing effective coalition building in state chapters and promoting the necessary framework to fight censorship at the ground level, IFRT has profiled Erin Kennedy, the chair of Idaho Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee.
Intellectual Freedom: A Response
As curators of collections, authorities on access, or just plain bookworms, we have an important role to play right now. If intellectual freedom is based on exploring, changing, improving through the discovery of new ideas then we have an opportunity, because of our particular skill set, to help shift the conversation.
OIF By the Numbers
With its three distinguished leaders over the half-century, the office has transformed into a thriving resource for librarians when First Amendment rights have been trampled. And we couldn’t have done it without you. Here are a few stats that highlight the work we’re proud to continue, and the obstacles our team is determined to tackle with your support.
Field Report 2016: Banned and Challenged Books
The ALA Field Report 2016 includes information on books and resources that are challenged, restricted, removed, or banned.
Intellectual Freedom News 11/17/17
Nominate yourself or your colleague for the Immroth Award which honors demonstrations of personal courage in defense of freedom of expression.
What Veterans Day Should Mean to a Library
By: guest blogger Lindsay Dwyer. The patron’s right to have unfettered access and ideas within a library and the librarian’s right to disseminate them are protected by the veterans who have sworn it their duty to fight for those rights and freedoms.
YouGov Poll Shows Who’s Willing to Ban What
The reasons people challenge books, in schools and in libraries, are numerous. Regardless, a surprising number of Americans, when faced with the right reason, are actually pro book banning. This is reflected in a recent YouGov.com poll, which asked what kinds of content in books should be banned, and in what settings.
Florida County Bans…Almost Everything
In most book challenges, there is one book that is targeted, for very specific reasons. The reasons behind the challenge may not be unique, but, at the very least, they are reasons that are specific to the challenged book. Instead of one challenge for one book, Dixie County Superintendent Mike Thomas has issued a ban on all materials with, “profanity, cursing or inappropriate subject matter.”
Responding to Database Challenges
Most librarians are aware of books that get challenged and the tools needed to protect their library against censorship, but censorship can also affect our digital content, whether it’s databases, e-books, streaming content, apps or electronic tools. Be aware of the current trend in challenges to these materials and how ALA is working with librarians and vendors to protect access to these great resources.
Intellectual Freedom News 11/10/17
OIF posted a letter to Conejo Valley Unified School District about their opt-out policy.